Our first-half-of-the-month-bears-no-resemblance-to-the-second-half-of-the-month pattern continues, with March setting a record of -19 at the onset and ending up with an average temperature in the 30s.

Larry Weber's feeling a little blue that the lack of snowfall (plus the icy crust on the snow we do have) means crummy conditions for animal tracks. He's still enjoying the regular seven birds who visit his feeders (plus, in Larry's case, the flock of wild turkeys), though (see photos above.)

Before yesterday it was looking to be one of the driest Decembers on record. However, yesterday's snowfall set a Northland record for that date. Larry Weber talks about the snowfall, what will happen to it when it turns cold in the next 24 hours, and what the snow means for area wildlife, such as ruffed grouse, snowshoe hares, and tiny rodents. The trees are particularly spectacular today.

Venus, Jupiter and Mercury are very closely aligned right now in the pre-dawn sky. And on perihelion is coming up January 2, 2019, when the earth is closest to the sun in its annual orbit.

The "gales of November came early" Wednesday. Duluth's lakewalk became a casualty for the third time this year and the National Weather Service reports we've already had more precipitation by October 10 than we usually get in a whole month.